Tele-thermometer



(No Model.) I 5 SheetsSheet 1.

P. J. DIBBLE.

v TELE-THERMOMETER.

No. 379,766.- 8 Patented Mar. 20, 1888.

(No Model.) 5' Shets-Sheet 2.

F. J. DIBBLE;

TBLE-THERMOMETER. No. 379,766. Patented Mar. 20, 1888.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

P. J. DIBBLE.

TELETHERMOMBTER.

No. 379,766. Patented Mar. 20,1888.

A. 8 a? M a I a 4 W (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

' F. J. DIBBLE.

TELE-THBRMOMETER.

' N0. 3'7v9;766. Patented M81". 20, 1888.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

\TELE-THERMOMBTER.

Patete Mar. 20, 1888.

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N. PEIERS. Pholmlilhogmphur. Washinglon, o. c.

lllsiirnn STATES PATENT" (lemon.

FERNANDO J. DIBBLE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE TELEMETER COMPANY OF NEW YORK.

TELE-THERMOMETER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 379,766, dated March 20, 1888.

Application filed May 12, 1887.

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, FERNANDO J. DIBBLE, a citizen of the United States, residing in New York, in the county and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Telemeters, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to certain improvements in the organization of electrical appa- 1o ratus for indicating at distant points variations in temperature, atmospheric pressure, or other similar changing forces occurring at any particular locality by the movements of any regularly-operated device. 1 The invention relates especially to the class of devices described in the patent of Charles L. Clarke, No. 327,526, dated October 6, 1855. The purpose of the invention is to improve the .mechanical construction of the apparatus.

The invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a top View of the transmitting apparatus, and Fig. 2 is a transverse section .25 of the same. Fig. 1 is a detail of a portion of the instrument. Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the instrument. Fig. 4 illustrates a modification in' the construction of the thermostat adapted to operate the instrument, and Fig. 5 illustrates the general organization of circuits and the application of the receiver to the transmitter.

Referring to the figures, 0 represents a circuit-closing arm, which may be operated in 5 this instance by the variations in the temperature which affect a thermostatic strip, V. This strip is wound in a spiral and is supported at one end from arigid support, V to which it is secured by a clamp and screw, 12. 0 The support V is tubular in form and extends from asuitable base-plate, o secured to the frame of the instrument.

Through the tube V there extends a hollow shaft, V, to which the other end of the ther- 5. mostatic strip V is fastened by a screw, o, en-

tering a suitable lug upon the tubular shaft. This lug passes through a slot in the tube V By'reason of the tubular construction of the parts V and V air is allowed to circulate freely in the parts, and thus prevent the thermostat from being affected by the heat con Serial No. 237,962. at model.)

ducted thereto through the metal. In some instances it may be desired to incase the entire thermostat, and for this purpose a covering, V", may be employed. This consists of a thin metal shell clamped at its bottom to a flange upon the tube V The end of the shaft V is solid and of small cross'sectiomas shown at if, and passes through a suitable bearing, o, in the end of the tube V Upon the end of 12" is supported the circuit-closing arm 0. This is operated by variations in the temperature acting upon the thermostatic strip V. The end of this arm constitutes a contact-point, c. In alignment with the extension 0 there is mounted an arbor, a. This arbor has its bearings in the two plates ca", the latter being bound to the plate A. Upon the arbor there is carried a block, 64*, having upon the opposite sides insulating 7c plates a a, Against these plates, and in the same plane with each other, there are secured by insulated screws two arms, 0 andG, extending upon the opposite sides of the arm '0. These arms carry at their respective extremities contact-points c c", with which it is designed that the arm 0 shall close circuits accordingly as it is actuated in one direction ortheother. TheextremitiesofthearmsGand C are bound byascrew, 0 which is insulated from one of the arms, and therefore does not electrically connect the two arms.

A conductor, 1, electrically connected by a screw, 0 with the arm 0, leads to a contactpoint, h, hereinafter to be described. and this is connected by a conductor, 2, through the coils of an electromagnet, H. The con-' nections are continued from this coil by a condoctor, 3, to a contact-point, y which is aplied to a contacts )rin 2', and from this 0 p 1 a 9 spring by the conductor at to an electro-magnet, F, and from this magnet by a conductor, 5, to a line, L, leading to the distant station.

The connections are completed at the distant station, in a manner which will presently be 5 described, with one pole of the battery 0, the other pole of which is connected either directly or through the earth with the frameplate A of the instrument, and thus through .the metal of the instrument with the arm G.

When, therefore, the arm O is carriedinto contact with the arm 0, a circuit will be closed through the electro-magnet H, thence through the points y and spring y to the magnet F,and thence out upon the line L. The magnets H and F will therefore be vitalized, The currents which are require d for operating the re cciving'instruments are of such strength that it is necessary to protect the contact-points c and c from the electric discharges which are likely to take place upon the interruption of the circuit. For this reason it is desirable to establish ashunt-circuit around these points whenever they serve to close a circuit. For this purpose the electro magnet H and a similar magnet, 11", are employed.

The point h is connected, as already described, with the conductor 2, and the armature-lever h of the magnet H is connected with the base of the instrument, and thus'with the battery 0. \Vhen, therefore, the, magnet H has been vitalized, the connections are completed from the conductor 2, leading from the magnet H through the points If and lever h to the battery, thus shunting the circuitacross the points 0 and c. The magnet F is provided with an armature, F carried upon a lever, F. A pawl, k, is carried upon the lever F", and this impels a wheel, E, in a given direction when the magnet F is vitalized. This wheel Eis mounted in the frame of theinstrument, and its arbor carries at its end above the plate A asmall pinion, c. This pinion en gages the teeth of a segment, 0, secured to the block a. XVhen the wheel is moved by the magnet F, itcarries with it the arms 0 and G in the proper direction to move the arm 0 away from the arm 0, and thus interrupt the connections at that point. For the purpose of preventing the magnet F from operating before the points are shunted it is preferred to make this magnet more sluggish than the magnet H. The wheel E is preferably secured to its support by screws 6", passing through corresponding slots, which permit the wheel to be adjusted for fractions of degrees when the instrument is set up.

The arm 0 is connected by a conductor, 6, with a contact-point, it", applied to the lever If of the magnet 11*, and also by a conductor, '7, through the coils of the magnet H thence through a conductor, 8, with a contact-point, 3/, applied to a contact-spring, 1 This spring is connected by a conductor, 9, with the coils of an electro-magnet, F", corresponding to the magnet F, thence bya conductor, 10, with a main line, L leading to the distant station. Vhen the arm 0 makes contact with the arm 0*, a circuit is closed through this last-named circuit, actuating the magnets H and F and causing the wheel E to be driven by a pawl, It, carried upon the lever F of the armature F, applied to the electro-magnct F". This, when actuated, carries the wheel E in the proper direction for moving the point e away from the point 0. A suitable retaining-pawl, E serves to prevent accidental movement of the wheel E.

It should be here observed that the construction described relieves the thermostat of all work except the closing of the circuit, which it does directly, and not through the intervention of any pinion'and wheel or other mechanism, since the arm 0 is carried directly upon the thermostat. The contactarms being supported upon the plate a,whieh is rigid with the segment 0, are then moved by the operation of the electro magnets through the wheel E and pinion e.

For the purpose of conveniently arranging the conductors 1 andG and holding them away from each other the former is preferably led through an opening in the plate a, while the conductor 6 is led through an opening in the plate a The plates are provided with extensions sufficient for the purpose. The line L leads at the receiving-station through a magnet, M, provided with an armature, m, carried upon the lever m", which carries the driving-pawl a. Likewise an armature, m", a lever, m", and a pawl, n, are applied to an electro-maguet, M included in the line L. \Vhen the electro-magnet M is vitalized, a wheel, N, is driven in one direction, and when the electro-magnet M is vitalized it isimpelled in the opposite direction. In this manner any suitable indicator carried thereby will serve to indicate the operation ofthe transmitteror the position of the arm 0. A suitable retaining pawl, N. is applied to the wheel N for preventing it from being accidentallymoved.

The conductors leading from the magnets M and M" are connected with the base-plate of the receivinginstrument, and thus through the conductor 11 with an arm, 9 applied to a circuit-interrupting device included in a conductor, 12, leading to the battery 0. This interrupting device consists of a magnet, Q, in cluded in the circuit of the line L, presently to be described, and vitalized after the several electro magnets before referred to have operated. A stationary arm, g, carries a con tact-spring, 9, upon which there is a contactpoint, 9. This point is connected with the conductor 12. Against this point there normally rests the lever 9 The armature g" of the electromagnet Q is normally held away from its magnet; but when the magnet is vitalized it strikes against one end of the lever g and thereby carries the contactpoint g" away from the point 9 where it normally rests by reason of the attraction of gravity. The momentum of the lever prevents the point from returning immediately into contact with the point 9", and therefore the circuit of the lines L and L is temporarily interrupted from this point 9.

The line L, before referred to, is connected by conductor 13, through the coils of the magnet Q,with a conducting plate, b. This plate is insulated from the frame and carries two contact-springs, m and m The levers of the magnets M and M carry two contact-points, m and m, respectively applied to the springs m and m These levers are respectively connected with the base-plate of the instrument,

and therefore when either lever is drawn forward it closes the circuit through the corresponding points, m and m, to the line 13, leading through the electro-magnet Q to the line L. This line extends to the transmitting apparatus and is connected with the plate b, similar to the plate I), which also carries two contact-springs, f andy. The levers F and I? carry front contact-points, f and f ap plied, respectively, to the points f and f. WVhen, therefore, either one is in its forward position after having actuated the wheel IE, it will close the circuit of the line L to the plate A, with which the levers are respectively connected, thus continuing the connections to the conductor15, leading from the battery 0. In this manner the electro' magnet Q will be vitalized; but it will be seen that before it is vitalized it is necessary for the magnet F or F and its corresponding magnet, M or M, to have actuated its lever, thus insuring the operation of the instrument.

The contact-springs y and 3 have been referred to. These are employed for the following purpose: It may sometimes chance that when the arm C, for instance, is moved away from the arm G the point carried uponthe arm 0 would strike against the pointc on the arm C, and vice versa, unless some means were provided for preventing it. This would be especially liable to occur were the arms adjusted very closely to the points 0, and also, if the transmitter should receive a violent blow or jar, the arm 0 might vibrate so as to make contact with both arms Oand 0' at nearly the same instant. To prevent this, the circuitconnections from the conductors3 and 8 are respectively normally made through the springs y and y and their corresponding points, y and if; but when the armature 7b is drawn toward its electro-magnet the spring 3 is allowed to move forward by reason of its own resilience and separate from the point y. It is adjustable, however, so that it will notseparate until just before contact is made with the point h the conductor 8 will beinterrupted before the connections of the conductor 2 are completed. The same is true with reference to the spring 3 and its point y.

The contact-springs k and h, and likewise the springs f and f" of the transmitter, and also the springs m and m of the receiver, are preferably supported in metallic posts and are bent or curved around the posts, so as to give sufficient length, and they face outward toward the corresponding contact point, so that as the levers strike them sliding contacts are formed therewith. In the case of thesprings h and h the posts t, upon which they are carried, are formed with extensions 2?, which are also secured to the plate A. The post itself is fastened directly against the plate, beinginsulated therefrom by insulating-washers, and the extension is likewise fastened therein to insure that the posts shall not turn, even if theinsulating material should shrink and so In this manner the connections of allow the post to become somewhat loosened. The springs y and g are also supported upon posts t provided with extensions t and insulated in a similar manner. carrying the adjustable contact-points 3 and 3 are similarly mounted and insulated and prevented from turning.

Suitable non-conducting blocks or pegs, P, are carried upon the armature-levers h and It? for preventing the springs y" and 3 from making metallic contact with the levers, and yet allowing them to move forward when the circuit is to be interrupted in the mannerldescribed.

The electro-magnets of the transmitter are preferably supported from the lugs formed on the plate A when the latter is cast, and for the purpose of having the parts held compactly .the two magnets F and F project through corresponding holes made in the plate A. The three lines L, L and L preferably lead from the three insulated binding plates or posts t,

t, and i carried upon the insulated block t, secured to the plate A at one side. It has been customary heretofore to employ artificial resistance-shunts around the several electro-mag nets for the purpose of reducing the spark occasioned by an interruption of the circuit. In this instance it is preferred to employ small coils r of insulated wire having a high resistance, permanently connected with the respective terminals of the several electro-magnet-s, and securely fastened to the coils or the coverings of the coils, as shown. This may be accomplished by using a suitable glue or cement. These coils are of fine wire, and, while allowing the passage of the currents of high potential induced in the coils of the magnets upon the interruption of the circuit, very little or practically none of the actuating-mu rents will traverse them. The advantage of this construction lies in its cheapness and simplicity, and by secu ring the coils to their respective magnets there is no danger of the small wires being broken during transportation.

In constructing the wheel E it is preferred to cut narrow slots at the bases of the teeth, as shown at M, for the purpose of preventing the accumulation of dirt in the bottoms of the teeth, which would otherwise interfere with the operation of the instrument.

In Fig. 4 there is illustrated a modification in the construction of the thermostatic device. This consists in securing upon a suitable in easing-plate, A, a short tube, W, into the end of which there is screwed the end of the tube V. The tube V extends through the tube V and the threaded tube W and carries the arm 0. The thermostatic strip V is inelosed by a case, V fastened at the bottom to the tube V and surrounding the strip. ever, passes over the outer end of the strip and into the interior, as shown, the interior portion being fastened in any convenient manner to the outer portion. The outer end of the thermostatic strip is fastened to the inner portion of the case V by means of the screw The tube, how-.

Likewise the posts IIO 1), while the outer end of the strip carries the tube or rod V. This formis of service where the apparatus is to be applied to a vat, for instance, and it is desired to place only the thermostatic portion within the vat, as indicated at W". The tube W screws into a suit able coupling-nut, to", which is preferably in sulated in the event that the vat is formed of metal.

I claim as my invention 1. A thermostat consisting of a spiral thermostatic strip, a rigid inclosing-case for the strip, to which one end of the strip is secured, said inclosing-case consisting of an outer shell and a tubeintegral th erewith,exteuding within the supported end of the strip toward its free end, and closed at the inner end, substantially as described, whereby air or fluid may circulate about and within the spiral.

2. In a telemeter, the combination, with a thermostat and a eireuit-elosing arm moved thereby, of two contact-arms upon the respective sides of said cireuitclosing arm, a support to which they are rigidly secured, a toothed segment of a wheel carried by said support, a toothed wheel and its arbor, a pinion upon said arbor gearing with said segment, and means for moving the eontactarms through the action of said wheel, substantially as described.

3. In atelemeter, the combination of athermostat, a circuit-closing arm secured to the thermostat, two automatically-movable contaetarms applied to the eireuit-closing arm upon opposite sides thereof, and a pivoted support to which the contact-arms are rigidlysecured.

4. In atelemeter, the combination,with a circuit-closing arm, of two contact-arms, a support to which they are secured and from which they are insulated, and a mechanical connection coupling the outer ends of said arms to gether.

5. The combination, in a telemeter,of a circuit-closing arm, a thermostat to which it is rigidly secured, two contact-arms, a segment of a wheel for moving the contact-arms, and electro'magnets for moving said segment in one direction or the other, accordingly as the circuit is closed through one or the other of the contact-arms.

6. In a telemeter, the combination,with actuating electro-magnets and means for closing circuits through the same, of artificial resistances around the coils of the electro-inagnets mechanically and rigidly secured to the electro-magnets.

7. In an electrical instrument, a contactpoint and a circuit closing spring therefor formed approximately in the shape of a semicircle, having an imvardly-projecting extension by means of which it is supported, the supports of said point and spring being movable with reference to each other, substantially as described.

8. In a telemeter, the circuit-closing arm 0, the two contact-arms C and O", the insulating plates a and a, against which they are fast ened,theeondnctor 1,passing through the plate a and secured to the arm and the conductor 6, passing through the plate a and secured to the arm C", whereby the wires are held apart, substantially as described.

9. In a telemeter, the eombination,with a circuitelosing arm, of a coutactarln, a gear moving therewith, a pinion for operating the same, and an eleetro-magnet vitalized by the contact of the eireuit-elosing arm with the contact-arm operating said pinion.

10. In a telemeter, the wheel E, its shaft or arbor, the actuating-magnets for moving the wheel, and the adjustable mounting for the wheel E, consisting of the screws 0, entering the shaft and their corresponding slots.

In testimony whereofI have hereunto subscribed my name this th day of May, A. I). 1887.

FERNANDO J. DIBBLE.

IVitnesses:

DANL. W. Enencomn, CHARLES A. TERRY. 

